Jets lauded for landing one of the biggest steals of free agency in veteran DB

Historically, the New York Jets aren't typically praised for the free agent signings. That has not been the case under general manager Darren Mougey.

This year, the Jets were uniquely positioned to spend on big-ticket free agents. They entered the legal tampering period near the top of the league with the most available cap space. Instead, Mougey played his cards right, bringing in veterans on short-term, reasonable contracts, exactly as he set out to do.

One of the most notable signings was free agent cornerback Nahshon Wright, who, after a Pro Bowl season with the Chicago Bears in 2025, only managed to earn a one-year, $5.5 million contract on the open market.

The Jets were the beneficiary of that deflated market, and Bleacher Report is calling it one of the biggest steals of free agency so far this offseason.

Jets' Nahshon Wright signing one of the biggest bargains of free agency

B/R's Gary Davenport said it's "hard to find much fault" in one-year contracts, considering the low-risk nature of a single-season pact. But the value in Wright's deal is too difficult to ignore.

"Is it possible that Wright's breakout season was a fluke? Yes—but the risk it was is baked into this modest contract. There are multiple cornerbacks who received contracts far larger than Wright's who didn't have the 2025 season he did. Some have never had the season that Wright just did."

Gary Davenport

As previously mentioned, Wright was a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career last season, hauling in five interceptions, forcing two fumbles, and deflecting 11 passes. Because of the one-year-wonder nature of his career, NFL teams want to see him do it again before giving him a long-term commitment.

If Wright can replicate that production in 2026, that would be fantastic news for the Jets. His eight total turnovers were more than double what New York had all season long.

Wright figures to compete with 2025 third-round pick Azareye'h Thomas heading into the summer, and if he wins, the starting job is likely to be starting across from Brandon Stephens come Week 1.

To look even further ahead, the Jets can save $8 million in cap space during the 2027 offseason by cutting ties with Stephens. Could New York look to sign him to a long-term contract after another (hopefully) great season, and utilize him and Thomas as the future of the secondary?

We'll see, but in the meantime, the Jets can take solace in the fact that their general manager seems to have a good nose for the pro market, and he's making sure their future remains flexible with savvy free agent signings.